Rheticus Forum to look at science and atheism

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Campus Center, located on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, will host its bi-annual Rheticus Forum discussion on April 17 with Rob Saler, an ELCA Lutheran pastor, seminary professor and theologian.

The event theme is “If I love science, do I have to be an atheist?” and is an invitation to think about the “kinds of truth we talk about in theology that can interact fearlessly with other kinds of knowledge whether that knowledge that comes from literature, philosophy, art and also science,” said Saler of the upcoming Rheticus event, which will be held from 7-9pm.

Saler is the executive director of the Center for Pastoral Excellence and is a professor at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. His research interests encompass both historical and systematic theology. He has published numerous articles on a variety of topics including ecological theology. He is a member of the American Theological Society (Midwest division) and the American Academy of Religion.

He received his BA summa cum laude from Valparaiso University, an MA in theology from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago and the M.Div. Th.M. and Ph.D. (with distinction) from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Saler’s visit follows the fall Rheticus Forum, which hosted University of Illinois Professor of Microbiology Steven Blanke, who discussed how his faith and scientific research mix.

The Rheticus Forum was established in 2010 as a public lecture and discussion series focused on the integration of faith and science. It is sponsored by St. Andrew’s Church/Lutheran Campus Center. The group’s vision is to provide a platform for extraordinary leaders in science and religion to share how God and science is present within their work and study as well as providing clarity on the challenges of faith and science integration.

Event Details

Sponsored by the Templeton Religion Trust, this conference will look on research on virtue. Further details of the conference program can be found online at http://ctshf.nd.edu/news/call-for-papers-practicing-science-virtues-values-and-the-good-life/.